Best places to visit in April: Where to go on vacation in April 2022

The best places to visit in April are crowd-free because it's slightly out of season, but still boast comfortable weather for sightseeing and exploring.  

With the snowbirds gone and the arrival of the summer vacationers still a couple of months away, April makes for an ideal time to travel with generally lower accommodation rates and fewer queues.

It's a great time to get the best holiday deals and plan a break to an affordable luxury vacation destination while kids are back at school and prices are lower as a result.

Whether you want to celebrate the arrival of spring, take part in Easter activities abroad, or just take advantage of shoulder season prices, here’s where to go in April 2022...

Best places to visit in April

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Best place to visit in April for: Incredible, Instagram-worthy photos

Amsterdam is dressed in orange every 27 April in honor of King's Day, but the real reason to visit the Netherlands at this time of year is for their famous tulip fields. 

Situated in Lisse, a 35-minute drive or one-hour train ride from Amsterdam, the Keukenhof Gardens are in full bloom in mid-April. During peak tulip season, more than 800 varieties of tulip adorn the garden's 79 acres in gorgeous, vibrant colors. 

The gardens can only be explored by foot but you can hire a bicycle at Keukenhof to explore the surrounding flower fields, stopping to enjoy the views and take photos.. 

Top tip: With new COVID protocols in place, be sure to purchase your ticket to the Keukenhof Gardens in advance online, to ensure you have a time slot. 

See the latest official tourism travel advice for the Netherlands here.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Best place to visit in April for: Shopping and sightseeing 

Prague's famed Christmas market is replaced by its Easter market come April each year. Open daily at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square throughout the majority of the month, shoppers are invited to browse wooden huts of glassware, toys and intricately painted Easter eggs to celebrate the arrival of spring. 

Take the opportunity to sample some Czech cuisine at the Easter market, and indulge in roast ham, grilled sausages, and sweet and savoury dumplings while washing it all down with some locally brewed Pilsner Urquell. 

Top tip: For an out-of-the-ordinary spa experience, set aside time to soak in a beer spa, where you can relax in a beer-filled oak tub while sipping on a refreshing pint of the hoppy beverage. 

See the latest official tourism travel advice for the Czech Republic here.

3. Moab, USA

Best place to visit in April for: Outdoor adventure

Moab is composed of a smattering of outdoor adventure outfitters, kitschy souvenir shops and touristy restaurants. But its proximity to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks make this southeastern Utah's favorite adventure holiday hub. 

April is the ideal time to hike, bike, raft and climb in the surrounding national parks because of the weather, so pack your best walking boots and adventure gear. Visit Island in the Sky for panoramic views of canyons and red desert landscapes, and admire the mesas and buttes (flat-topped mountains) which were shaped by the Colorado and Green Rivers. 

Then hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park to capture a photo of the natural attraction that decorates Utah’s license plates. 

Top tip: Rent a car to explore the national parks at a leisurely pace. There’s no public transportation inside these parks, and you’ll need to sign up with a tour group otherwise.

See the latest official tourism travel advice for the USA here.

4. Washington DC, USA

Best place to visit in April for: Capital culture and cherry blossoms on a budget

Washington DC's National Cherry Blossom Festival that runs from late March until mid-April every year allows spectators to admire cherry blossoms in full bloom without having to travel all the way to Japan.

One of the best places to visit in March too thanks to the opening ceremony for this springtime festivity, Washing DC hosts celebrates the cherry blossom trees received as a gift from Tokyo in 1912, and pays homage to the friendship shared by the US and Japan. A parade also takes place during this festival, in which elaborate floats and marching bands make their way down Constitution Avenue. 

April in Washington DC is still brisk, but suitable for leisurely walks along the Potomac River and for exploring the grounds of the US Capitol Building. 

Top tip: Make enough time to visit the Smithsonian museum complex. Admission is free of charge at all of their museums and the zoo, which is great if you're exploring Washington DC on a budget. 

See the latest official tourism travel advice for the USA here.

5. Maui, USA

Best place to visit in April for: A tropical retreat

Hawaii's second-largest island is best visited in April when the crowds of snowbirds have gone. Plus, the pleasant weather makes it easy to embrace all the exciting outdoor activities that Maui has to offer. 

Watch the sunrise from the top of Haleakalā, the island's highest peak. See humpback whales from a kayak in Makena Bay, and navigate some 600 harrowing hairpin turns on the famed road to the peaceful town of Hana while gorging on freshly baked banana bread from roadside stands along the way. 

Top tip: Don’t rush the drive on the road to Hana. It's worth spending time exploring this part of Maui so you can spend a few hours at the Red Sand Beach, or hang out at a waterfall.

See the latest official tourism travel advice for the USA here.

6. Antigua, Guatemala

Best place to visit in April for: Off-grid exploration 

The Spanish colonial city of Antigua hosts one of the world's most elaborate Holy Week celebrations. Preparations begin in the weeks prior, and when the celebrations begin, the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage city are blanketed in colorful sawdust carpets, which are often interwoven with bright flowers, fruits, and vegetables. 

Time your visit for after Holy Week if you want to avoid the crowds, which will also leave you with more options for accommodation. 

But whichever you do, make sure to visit Lake Atitlán, where you can spend your time watching gorgeous sunsets and taking boats to the surrounding lakeside villages for day trips.  

Top tip: Hike the Pacaya Volcano for a chance to see lava up close.

See the latest official tourism travel advice for Guatemala here.

7. Amman, Jordan

Best place to visit in April for: Amazing ancient ruins and archaeological sites

The winter rains ease up in April and with the arrival of warm sunshine, Jordan enjoys some agreeable weather. For a bucket list experience, make your way to the capital of Amman and visit the city's breathtaking ancient ruin sites of Jerash, Umm ar-Rasas and Umm Qais.

A 45-minute drive southwest from the capital will land you at the Dead Sea in the Jordan Rift Valley. Coat yourself in the slimy black mud, bake in the afternoon sun, and rinse with the mineral-rich salt waters for a rejuvenating experience before floating in the sea for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

No trip to Jordan would be complete without a visit to Petra, the famous archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is counted as one of the seven New Wonders of the World. 

Top tip: Make sure to pack some long sleeved clothing, cover-ups and scarves for when visiting the ancient ruin sites in Amman and other sacred places in Jordan. 

See the latest official tourism travel advice for Jordan here.

8. Colchagua Valley, Chile

Best place to visit in April for: Wine tasting and walking

Take a break from the epic hikes Chile is famous for to sample one of the country's most popular exports - wine. 

Though relatively new in wine-producing when compared to Maipo Valley, the two dozen vineyards that make up the Colchagua Valley are steadily gaining a reputation as Chile's Napa Valley. 

The Colchagua Valley in central Chile is about a two-hour drive south of the capital of Santiago and is best known for its robust reds, namely the Cabernet Sauvignon, although the Carménère and Syrah are rising stars. 

Catch the grape harvest season which generally runs from February to April each year - making Chile one of the best places to visit in February, too. 

Top tip: Santiago is about 80 miles north of Colchagua Valley. While a day trip from the capital is possible, consider setting aside a few days for wine tasting and basing yourself in the town of Santa Cruz instead.

See the latest official tourism travel advice for Chile here.